Kedar Jadhav's cricketing career bears resemblance to those films where the first half and second half no real connection to each other. Having started out as a promising batsman who was imm...Full profile

Kedar Jadhav's cricketing career bears resemblance to those films where the first half and second half no real connection to each other. Having started out as a promising batsman who was immensely aggressive with a solid technique to boot, Jadhav did the hard yards in First-class cricket by piling on the runs, even topping the run charts in 2013-14. However, heavy competition for spots in Test cricket meant that Jadhav was never really considered for that format. He didn't let it affect his mind and instead chose to completely reinvent his game.

MS Dhoni's ability as a limited-overs finisher had started to gradually diminish from 2014-15 onwards. The veteran was still a matchwinner but India needed people down the order who could complement him with the big hits. The scenario called for batsmen who could improvise and score quickly. Sensing the opportunity there, Jadhav started to work on that aspect of his game. With a good technique as a base, he started to expand his scoring zones and could play more innovative strokes. The 2014 IPL season showed everyone glimpses of Jadhav version 2.0 who could score quickly with mostly fluent shots.

In the 2014-15 season, Jadhav inevitably debuted in the shorter formats for India although it was in 2016 during the home season that he started consistently proving his mettle. The brilliant century against England in early 2017 when he launched a stunning counterattack showed the world what he was capable. It's not always that you overshadow someone of Virat Kohli's class, that too in a run chase and that's precisely what Jadhav did. A few freak injuries did affect him along with inconsistent form in 2017 but he has done enough already to deserve some backing. Modern day limited-overs cricket doesn't usually accommodate one-dimensional cricketers and with Jadhav being a slow fielder, he had to be more than just an aggressive batsman.

Therefore, he also paid attention to this part-time off breaks, which when delivered from his slingy action are doubly effective. Jadhav has proven to have the golden arm in many of the games and this attribute will hold him in good stead. However, he also knows that scoring runs is his primary objective because in Suresh Raina, India have a like-to-like backup who is also an experienced international cricketer. Jadhav has a better all-round game but he needs to back it up with consistent performances. The skill set is obvious and one hopes he can maximise his potential.

In the IPL, Jadhav got picked by Bangalore in 2016 after a steady time with the Delhi franchise. His sudden rise in international cricket is what prompted Kohli's IPL unit to pick him. However, in the auction overhaul of 2018, he found a new home in Chennai and will look to impress in his association with one of the tournament's most formidable outfits. Barring his sluggish fielding and at times puzzling running between the wickets, Jadhav is a fine cricketer with a steely determination to overcome the toughest of situations.